Unsafe vehicle classification and criteria

The BC Government Commercial Vehicle Inspection Manual’s definitions of unsafe (out of service) group classifications are:

When a vehicle has any of the following mechanical problem areas, it is an unsafe vehicle.

Problem area	Unsafe criteria
Power train	cracked, broken or bent axle or worn CV joint fuel leak fuel tank insecurely mounted exhaust leak within the perimeter of the occupant compartment of the vehicle with holes in the floor (includes trunk)
Suspension	cracked or broken suspension component shock absorber not attached air spring is deflated
Brakes	any leak in brake system any brake hose or line seep or swell under pressure inoperable brake metal to metal brake contaminated brake lining cracked brake disc or hub
Steering	cracked or broken steering component loose steering component loose or missing steering component bolts
Instruments	malfunctioning gauges (for example, speedometer/odometer)
Lamps	headlamps – at least one must be operable tail lamps – at least one must be operable turn signals – both sides must be operable
Electrical	frayed or damaged wiring as a result of a short indicated by the smell or sight of smoke (burning wire)

When a vehicle has any of the following body problem areas, it is an unsafe vehicle:

any frame member that is broken, cracked, or sagging so it permits the body to contact any moving part(s)
collapse of frame is imminent
frame member or component does not support directional stability or support components
a 37 mm (1 ½ inch) or longer crack in frame which is directed toward a bottom flange
any crack in frame that extends from a frame web around radius and into a bottom flange
a crack 25 mm (1 inch) or longer in bottom flange, or
inoperative or ineffective windshield wiper on driver’s side

When a vehicle has any of the following tire and wheel problems, it is an unsafe vehicle.

Problems	Unsafe criteria
Tire	less than 0.8 mm (1/32 inch) of tread any part of the breaker strip or casing ply is showing in tread area visible bump or bulge in the tread or sidewall indicating separation sidewall is cut or damaged exposing the tread tire is labelled "Not for Highway Use"
Wheel	wheel nut or stud is missing, loose or broken loose wheel